What does being a Modern Man Mean?

I was asked this on a recent podcast with a couple of legends from the North of England..

It’s called ‘troubled boys club’. Feel free to check them out. They’re funny, intelligent and also not extremely serious like a lot of mental health oriented podcasts you hear.

It was the first podcast I’d done for a fair while, so I was understandably nervous…

The activation energy was rising, I could feel the butterflies in the gut.

Then pretty much straight out the bat they asked me this question.

So Iwan, “What is a Modern Man?”

To which I answered along the lines of..

It’s not so much about what you have, the materialistic stuff which you see plastered everywhere these days.

Like getting the body, house, car of your dreams.

Because, although great. These successes are fleeting and honestly not fulfilling in the long term.

(I can’t speak for the house or car)

But I can for the body - I’ve been the ripped guy with abs, and was unhappy.

I definitely vouch for being in great physical shape, we need to be to be our healthiest and happiest.

But sometimes we strive at the expense of what really matters.

Being your best as a Man, moment to moment.

Having the character traits, the communication skills, the emotional regulation..

To know what you truly want in life.

Show discipline to have positive impact on yourself and those around you.

Switching your vices for virtues..

Like putting down the bottle for a quick trip to the gym.

Not dismissing external, material successes because it’s great to strive for more money, more stuff, a better functioning and aesthetic body.

Right now, I’m trying to build muscle and shift from around 70kg to 75kg.

Yes to look good, and also for longevity. Because research shows that more muscle at older ages is correlated with a healthier life in our later years…

My point there - as long as the intention underlying it comes from a grounded and healthy space.

Otherwise you’re setting yourself up for psychological instability.

And we all want to be more level-headed and strong minded right?

To which there was a little bit of silence meaning I think they liked the answer…

And guys if you want to become my definition of a Modern Man.

Just hit this and I’ll be in touch…